Free Republic

Russia now controls $12.4 trillion worth of Ukraine's key natural resources, according to an analysis for The Washington Post by SecDev. If the Kremlin succeeds in annexing Ukrainian land seized during Russia's invasion, Kyiv would permanently lose almost two-thirds of its deposits. Moscow controls 63% of Ukraine's coal deposits, 11% of its oil, 20% of its natural gas, 42% of its metals, and 33% of its rare earths.If the Kremlin succeeds in annexing Ukrainian land seized during Russia's invasion, Kyiv would lose almost two-thirds of its deposits, the report said, denying the country of its essential economic pillars.

Pictured on the credentials for the Thursday evening Barack Obama gala in Denver is an upside-down flag, signaling a sign of distress. Interesting.

<p>The series of Live Earth concerts, organised in nine cities to raise awareness of climate change issues, began in Sydney.</p> <p>Among those playing in Sydney were rockers Wolfmother, with the reformed Crowded House rounding off the show.</p> <p>Live Earth was inspired by former US Vice-President Al Gore, who appeared as a hologram as the Tokyo gig began.</p>

Not a troll, I promise. I just thought this picture on Drudge's homepage deserves captioning.

Shifting the nation’s perception of New Orleans as a drowned city of Third World proportions remains in the forefront of new Gulf South marketing, advertising experts said Dec. 7 at a chapter meeting of the American Marketing Association. “(Marketing to tourists) is going to take a grassroots effort to combat the negative publicity,” said Mark Mayer, president of Peter A. Mayer Advertising of New Orleans. Although Mayer is optimistic about the city’s future, combating the damaged brand of New Orleans is key in the short term, he said. “Tourism is alive and well (in New Orleans),” said Zehnder Communications President...

KENNER, Louisiana — Three people convicted of hauling away liquor, wine and beer from a grocery store after Hurricane Katrina were sentenced to 15 years in prison. The judge said Wednesday he wanted to send a message that looting would not be tolerated when he gave the maximum sentence to Coralnelle Little, 36, Rhonda McGowen, 42, and Paul C. Pearson, 36. A jury convicted the trio May 2 on a portion of the state's looting law that took effect two weeks before the Aug. 29 storm. The amended law set a three-year minimum sentence, and a maximum of 15 years...

Gov. Mitt Romney’s take-charge role in Bay State flood zones played well on national TV, but critics say the White House-seeking Republican went too far in warning about a risk of looting. Responding to “Good Morning America” anchor Diane Sawyer’s question about the need to rescue people from their homes, Romney said the state National Guard stood at the ready. “We’re continuing to be very, very careful and going through our neighborhoods, securing them, and making sure there is no looting of any kind,” Romney added. The remarks puzzled local officials who reported no incidents of looting in the Bay...

(1/18/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) We're just 18 days into 2006, and Houston's murder rate is skyrocketing. According to Chief Harold Hurtt, 21 homicides were reported in the first 17 days of the year. Last year during the same period, the total stood at 14. That's a 50 percent increase. Even now, five months after Hurricane Katrina, law enforcement officials in Houston are still trying to identify the criminal element from New Orleans -- more specifically, gang members. It's a segment of the population that Chief Hurtt was warned about early on. The warning came months ago from Louisiana's lieutenant governor. "When...

I haven't actually heard of this guy before. Here's his picture: